Have I read incorrectly or not?

[Shinsan]

Hi, I'm a 15 year old American from Pennsylvania. My dream is to work as an English teacher in Japan. I've researched a bit and I found out that you don't neccesarily need your Bachelors degree to teach English in Japan. Is this true? I'm a US citizen by the way.

Don't take this as a joke, I'm dead serious. I want to head overseas as soon as possible and I really can't wait. When I graduate from High school, will I be able to teach English in Japan?

Don't think I'm just an arrogant kid. I've been learning Japan since 2005 and I'm pretty dead on.


Thanks!

What I want to know is.. can I work as an English Teacher in Japan with a High School Diploma?

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Why not read your old posts here??????

You have been asking the same questions over and over. In one post you say you are just finishing college, yet in another , you say just finishing high school. You are becoming what they call a troll. Just take time to read all you old posts and the answers you got over the past year and put them in a notebook to study when you forget.

Uncle Frank

 

[Shinsan]

I said those 2 things because I wasn't sure that you guys would take me seriously. I'm dead serious here, and I'm DEFINATELY not trolling. I just want a serious answer, because I read somewhere that you could teach with a High School Diploma and I'm not entirely sure.

 

[Drew-san]

You can, but will need luck to find a job. Theres no reason I can think of not to go to college. Your options are pretty limited especially in Japan if you don't have a college degree.

 

[Shinsan]

I'm an impatient person, I thought initially that I could go there, teach, go to college later on. I'm a Sophomore in High School this year. I'm hoping that I can get a job teaching in Japan. How limited?

 

[Jericho Desu]

Ok I'm not an expert, but after the numerous (and I mean numerous) threads of these kinds I've seen its come down to basically two types of 'acceptance', either 10 years work experience or a BA in anything. That pretty much should sum it up and I have never asked this question before.

One thing I'd like to add though is why the rush? You might not even like Japan, you should go there for a few months and check it out first. Your still really young and people in your age group change their minds about things very drastically. The fact that you can't wait and all tells me that you might not have considered the full meaning of this decision. Sorry if that sounded alittle harsh, you might be a lot more mature then I consider you to be, but I'm just going by observation.

 

[Shinsan]

So there's no way, I HAVE to get my Bachelors? I have no problem with that at all, it's been my dream for a while now and as I stated before I'm impatient. If it comes down to it, I'll go to college, get my Bachelors and THEN go.

 

[epigene]

What I want to know is.. can I work as an English Teacher in Japan with a High School Diploma?

I think other members have told this to you already, but:

No. None of the big English conversation schools take people without college degrees.
In addition, you can't get the work visa that allows you to stay and work in Japan unless you have a college degree.

American citizenship is no guarantee either. There are Americans who fail to pass the interviews today, because there are many English language teachers looking for jobs.

 

[Shinsan]

Alright, Thanks, Epigene. I'll finish High School AND College, it makes more sense anyway.

 

[epigene]

If you want to come to Japan so much, you might consider working and studying for an exchange program on the high school or college level.

It isn't free, but if you (and your parents or guardians) can save enough, you can come and study at a Japanese school for some length of time, maybe for 6 months to a year depending on the program.

Check whether such programs are available in your city or area.

 

[Drew-san]

Well I read all this guys topics since I have posted here, and I think hes full of crap. First hes a senior in college, then in high school, and now hes 15. Asking if he can drop out of high school at 16 and then go to college . If you are serious, finish high school, finish college, and visit Japan. I doubt in a few years you will even care about Japan. But my advice would be to stop trying to find the fastest way and do it the right way or you will be sorry.

 

[Shinsan]

Lol, this time I am serious. I just want to get to Japan. I'll go through High School and College, why not?

 

[Drew-san]

Ok now you just have to do it, good luck. No need to come back in a few months and post the same thing with a different name... Again.

 

[Shinsan]

I won't it wasn't really the same thing each time, this time I have a definate answer and I know what I need to do and everything. Thanks for your help, Epigene, Drew-San.

 

[tada]

This guy's posts are insanely inconsistent. I glanced over them, and he's gone from a senior to a sophomore.

Makes me sick that I'm getting treated the same (perhaps worse) as this guy whenever I ask for advice on working in Japan.

 

[Shinsan]

As I said before, I said those things to get answers because I wasn't sure that you guys would take a Freshman(I was a Freshman or an 8th grader at the time) seriously. Calm down, stop insulting me.

 

[Glenski]

Read the FAQs. In lieu of, read this.

Yes, it's possible to work in Japan without a bachelor's degree. Here are the visa options:

1. spouse visa (marry a Japanese)
2. dependent visa (marry a foreigner who had a work visa)
3. student visa (enroll in school here)
4. cultural visa (study a craft under a master)

For 2, 3, and 4 above, you will have to file for special permission to work, and you will only be allowed PT hours.

5. regular work visa (but you have to prove a minimum of 3 years of work experience in a related field)

6. working holiday visa (you are not eligible because it is for certain nationalities and ages, and you don't fit either)

 

[Drew-san]

Yep and by time you achieve the requirements for those (if you can) you would have finished college and you can take Japanese courses to help your understanding when you get there. Teaching English shouldn't be a permanent job for you. Doesn't pay too well, but it's a good starting point. So college would be the only intelligent option.

 

[Glenski]

Drew-san,
The "requirements" for cultural visa and student visa are pretty darned minimal. You only need to apply, not spend 4 years like you would getting a degree.

Your advice about getting a degree, however, is sound. I always recommend it for the long term.

 

[Mike Cash]

Makes me sick that I'm getting treated the same (perhaps worse) as this guy whenever I ask for advice on working in Japan.

I haven't been paying the strictest of attention, but right offhand I can't recall where you've received anything other than seriously considered, well-intentioned, and accurate answers to your inquiries. That you may not like what you're being told is not our problem.